So I missed last IWSG.
🙁
It felt weird. Like missing the school dance when all your friends are going. You want tag along, but it snuck up and you have nothing to wear. Bad analogy…you get it. So here I am, back again, ready to not be kicked out of the group for missing twice in a row. Yay for remembering on time!
I’ve been not posting much because I’m taking a mental breather. Pressing pause on the whole this is me being a writer stuff. A pause—not a stop. I’m still writing. I write every day. I write in the morning before work and after, when Batman and Appa are occupied—time I should probably use to mop the floor but I sit my butt down and type away instead. I’ll get to the floor one of these days.
So writing is not the problem.
Not that there is one. I feel fine. I’m working on something I love, but have no idea how it will end. Or what it will turn into—one giant novel or four novellas or two books or what. I keep going back and forth and then remind myself I don’t have to decide now. Which is awesome, because I’m not sure where to go next. And that’s where the pause comes in.
Besides writing, I don’t know what my next move is. I’m a terrible advertiser and ridiculously stupid with technology, so if you’re reading this, believe me, I’m more shocked than you are. I’ve got four published books out, another on Swoon Reads, and a project I don’t want to talk about. Yet. (There’s no need to jinx it.) So I’m taking it easy, putting the gear in neutral and coasting for a bit. I’m watching. Learning. Participating in group discussions (eek!) and really getting an idea of what other people are doing. How they’re getting noticed or the tactics they’re using to cultivate a fan base. Am I going to try these things? Possibly. But I don’t have to decide right now.
Right now is for writing.
And you, IWSG 🙂
Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.
P.S. If I don’t respond to a comment, it’s because I’m in Seattle for the next few days for a wedding! (Congratulations Catie and Andy!) I’ll get back to you as soon as I can 🙂
P.P.S. Happy 30th Birthday to an AMAZING friend I’ve known for almost twenty years. I love you, Ari!
Congrats on working on something you love. That’s huge. Keep going! 🙂
Thanks!
Marketing can be paralyzing I’m sure, seems like there’s so many things one can try. Glad the writing is going well, that’s always a giant plus!
Paralyzing is the perfect word. Probably because I’m so confused and overwhelemed (and slightly terrified) that I just do nothing at all. But yay for the writing!! To me, still the most important thing. You can advertise all you want, but without a product, you’ve got nothing.
Thanks for stopping by. And for the email!
I think it’s awesome you’re in neutral. Coasting sounds pretty darn nice at the moment. Hope your trip for the wedding is fun and goes well!
Wedding was awesome! Only tripped in my shoes a half a dozen times – way less than was anticipated. And yes, sometimes coasting keeps the energy positive for the writing. And that’s what I’m after 🙂
Marketing is harder than writing, LOL!
It’s a sad, sad truth. I think that’s why it should be MANDATORY for every writer to have minibar/ winebar/bar close to home. Or a daily foot-rub. One of the two.
CG,
Welcome back! I think the only thing harder about writing than writing is – well, everything else. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the old days when I was just writing to write with this vague idea that by some magical process it would wind up in a bookstore and people would love it. That’s part of what makes these writer’s groups so hard. Happy writing!
Anne
So… if you find a way that we can get back to that magical process you were talking about, let me know and we’ll do it together, k?
Thanks for stopping by! Happy writing to you too! 🙂
That’s wonderful that your writing is going so well! Sometimes stepping back and taking a breather is the best thing you can do. I know I often need time to think about my characters and let them tell me more about where the story will be going. And marketing is the worst. Watching others and learning from them can be a great help. Good luck and keep that story going!